Detailed Summary

Fair Sentencing Act of 2009 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to: (1) increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for crack cocaine trafficking to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine; (2) increase monetary penalties for drug trafficking and for the importation and exportation of controlled substances.

Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine.

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and the role of the defendant in such crime, taking into account certain aggravating and mitigating factors.

Directs the Comptroller General to report on the effectiveness of drug court programs funded by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 8/3/2010: Signed by President.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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On the Blog: The Bill With No Name
In its haste to move a spending bill last w...

American Girl

He introduced the law that destroyed Tens of Thousands of lives, families and communities.

Now he needs to begin to correct it by making this bill retroactive.

Put an end to legal KidNapping, Violence, Murder, Slavery and theft (aka the drug war) and lets find an actual solution to drug addiction.

America is SUPPOSED to be a free country, so why are we prohibited from using drugs and punished by violence, family destruction, theft, kidnapping, slavery, rape and death. Drugs do not do this, our GOVERNMENT does this. Stop the lies, stop the violence and murder.

Let's stop using the "war on drugs" to cover up legal VIOLENT crime. Wake up America!!

American Girl

Yes, "conspiracy" is also LEGAL population control and big business. Under current conspiracy laws they can bribe and convict anyone, their mother, you, or your mother/wife, child, etc. Here's conspiracy law 101: All it takes is one (bribed) witness and a cop to convict you of "conspiracy" landing you in prison for 5years to life (99yrs).

Bribed "witnesses" are co-defendants offered a life vest (reduced or eliminated time) in trade for testifying against another person. Bribing witnesses is against our constitutional rights, yet it still goes on. You don't choose money over freedom.

Conspiracy convictions have been happenning across America for the many years & makes up for 60% of all drug convictions.

Most of these people are not guilty. Wake up America! Things are not what they seem. It could happen to YOU.

Do you want to get convicted of conspiracy just to condemn drug users & dealers? Or would you rather be intelligent and rally to restore freedom in America??

Poor Druggies

It is quite fair that a drug offender be sentenced to a long term. In fact, the sentence for ANY drug offense should be life without parole. And if that doesn't work perhaps we should just send all drug offenders to China and let them take care of the problem. They have a very successful way of stopping an individual from ever committing another drug offense. A bullet. Works every time.

MRS MATRIX

It seems as everyone here is forgetting what this bill is about. People in middle-class "white America" would never understand this because they are not wrongly affected by this law. When little white girls and boys from affluent families are arrested for bingeing on alcohol, pills and cocaine, they get a slap on the wrist. However, when young "Tyrone" is thrown away for 20 years for having a few grams of his desired drug, no one sees this. This law has thousands of young and old men incarcerated for durations fit for a murderer, yet no one sees this as a problem. This law is not about reform, it is about revenge! how can an 18 yr old male convicted and sentenced for 20 years become reformed? when he leaves prison at the tender age of 38, what is he capable of? People can not just pick their lives up where they left off. What kind of world is this we live in, when convicted murderers do less time than petty drug dealers? Our society has blinded us, we need to be more aware of life.

LAS

Most of you who is against it won't really understand until you go through it. My mother was sentenced to 20 years in prision for having 4 grams of CRACK coaine! If it would have been powder she would have only gotten 18 months! && that's supposed to be fair? NO, it's not. It all ends up being brought down to the fact that most black people are caught with crack & white people are caught with powder coaine which are both the same thing just in different forms. && for the ppl who feel it's not the same, that's just like saying ice & liquid aren't both water. YES, they are. One is just hard & the other is liquid. && You ppl are so worried about locking up ppl who sell drugs, what about MURDERERS? The two boys who shot my brother only got 7 years in prision & I see them EVERYDAY && my mom has 20 years! But that's justice, huh? Justice my ass!

...

Actually, they were white. So dnt say anything about something that u know NOTHING about. The law is RACIST. U're obviously white so u have nothing to worry about. && She didn't get caught...U won't know anything about this until u have to actually go through it. U a white, racist b**ch just like most of the other people...wtf is the difference between crack && cocaine? NOTHING at all except more blacks have crack && more whites have cocaine...so get ur head out of your ass && quit worrying about something that u have NOTHING to do with

...

Yeah, sure. Lying ass. Every day those crackheads stay in jail is another day I don't have to worry about them screwing up my neighborhood. Keep them in jail. Or better yet, do like the chinese did this week - give them the needle and be done with it.

...

sooodumb!

U'RE ALL WHITE SO U OBVIOUSLY HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT...IF THIS LAW HAS NOTHING TO DO IT WITH U THEN Y R U SO WORRIED? Y'ALL ARE ALL JUST MAD BECAUSE DRUG DEALERS MAKE WAY MORE THEN THE MINIMUM WAGE THAT U BRING HOME! STOP BEING SUCH RACIST JERKS AND DNT WORRY ABOUT STUFF THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH U! && IT'S NOT THE CRACKHEADS WHO I CARE ABOUT ; IT'S THE DRUG DEALERS.. I CNT WAIT TO SEE HOW U THREE POOR RACIST JERKS FEEL WHEN THIS LAW PASSES!!! LOL AT THAT!

fricks121

Ignorance is what allowed minimum mandatory sentencing to take place back in 1985 and it's that same ignorance that I'm reading in these comments.Every person has done something in there life.So for those that say lock them up & throw the key away imagine if we were to dig in your past or present and find your secrets and we lock you up and through the key away.Would it be fair? Would you want someone to fight for you? Well I'm fighting for mine & you should educate yourself before opening your mouth.I would rather live next door to someone that sold drugs than someone that raped a child.Yet they can get a second chance.. No one deserves life taken away because of a conspiracy.Truth be told alot of these men have more intelligience than the average citizen,just made poor decisions & used poor judgement.I challange anyone to educate themselves on the war on drugs then open your mouth. Better yet talk to me face to face.I guarantee I will sit you down based on knowledge & not ignorance

KeepTheFaith2010

AMEN to that!! The person who won't even put there real name ... is just a negative person who puts negative comments on everything that has something to do with this bill getting passed. He's not even man enough to put his real name. I do agree that if you do the crime you should do the time...but it should however, be a fair amount of time. Mandatory minimums are downright rediculous! Non-violent offenders should be the first to be given another chance. This bill is not about drug-users like so many people think it is...but yet the drug dealers and the families that were broken up. He obviously is uneducated and knows nothing at all about what this bill is really about. I don't understand how a lady I know got 20 years for 4 grams of crack when if it was soft cocaine, she would have only gotten 18 months. Where is the justice in that?

...

I really don't give a crap what any of you say or think. Any law that keeps drug offenders off the streets for a long time is good. As far as I, and my neighbors, are concerned - LOCK THEM UP FOREVER.

What really seems to bother all of you is that these scumbags got caught and had to face stiff punishment. That's just too bad. In reality, they should have been shot on the spot. Then the only requirement would have been a hole to throw them in and dirt to cover them up. Certainly would clean a lot of crap off the streets.

WAITING

There is a day of reckoning. Only God will be able to do the judging. Im waiting on the bill to be pasted,and everyone that deserve a secong chance to get it. maybe one day before its to late,there will be more love in the world. I know thats only wishful thinking.

Max Diva

Lol YOU'RE MAD!

Wow ; you're that mad because the bill is going to pass! HAHA. I can't wait to see what negative stuff you have to say then. && You or your so-called neighbors need to NOT worry about this because it has NOTHING to do with any of you obviously. Lol you're on here going crazy just because it's going to pass....laugh out loud. GET A LIFE & stop wanting everyone else to be miserable like you. If this has nothing to do with u why do u bother even checking up on it? You are so mad that AMERICA has finally realized what needed to be change...I could only imagine how mad u were when Obama got elected...FACE IT...it's 2010. RACIST people and laws will eventually become a thing in the PAST!

Laughing Out Loud

Yes I am laughing out loud at the ridiculous idiots who think this has any chance of passing. And by the way, it has nothing to do with race. That is nothing more than a smoke-screen thrown up by some in order to cover up what is really happening.

If you are convicted of this type of crime you should receive the maximum sentence available. It is my sincere hope that this bill does not pass, ever.

...

You'll see. Lol you're so mad that I can't even get mad at the stuff you say anymore. All I can do is tell you to WAIT & see && u will be PROVEN wrong. && It is my sincere hope that racist people like you get a LIFE that does not revolve around sending people to jail for life who sells drugs and letting RAPIST and MURDERERS out in a few years...

Well Glory!

People don't understand what they don't want to understand. Wait sunked the ship, so when ppl say things like what I am hearing, I pray for them because they must don;t understand what kind of GOD I praise. May God be the glory and this law will pass. My husband is in the federal prison right now serving a ten year sentence for crack cocaine and he has served 5 years of that but I have stood out on faith and know that God answers prayers and he will be coming hom ethis year when the bill becomes law. So please understand that the devil is busy and those comments should make you so much stronger. Change in 2010. I say this eliminate mess and all the stress so that you can become a success. I have already claimed this in Jesus name! AMEN!

...

What a hoot. Are you smoking crack or what? There is no god and jesus is a myth. Your husband is where he belongs and will stay there. It's a good thing too because he sure doesn't need to be around you.

Poor craig

That's exactly what I mean - you don't want death to be the end and someone has fed you the lie about life everlasting.

I wonder just how much it has cost all you idiots over the years to support your "religions"? All that money in the collection plate and what do you get? Nada. Nothing. A hole in the ground and the worms eating your dead carcass. All the while the preacher is out drinking and whoring on your dime. Absolute idiots, every one of you.

...

All you kool-aid drinkers are just perfect suckers. You listen to some preacher tellyou how wonderful it will be after you die. And this same person is living off you, like the parasite they are. You get exactly what you deserve - nothing.

Phyllis

You people are really something, I am white and my two boys have been incarcerated for 6 years, and will be there for another 4. So all you people who are bad mouthing about this subject and bill don't know anyone's circumstance and certainly don't know the pain that a family goes through. It isn't always what it seems but for ignorant people like all of you, you wouldn't know or agree with that. Certainly wish it on your families and then see how you feel. For all of who are pulling for this bill I am with you. Hoping all who have family incarcerated are hanging in, it will come to pass soon.

Kenyatta of va

My husband would greatly benefit from this bill passing... I pray everyday it passes. He is not a bad nor violent person. He just made mistakes... We are all human and he deserves another chance just like the next person. He has been gone now for 10 years and would have 9 more to go if this does not pass. I am sorry to say he got 22 years... This is too long for the crime committed. The majority of the time he recieved was because he did not snitch on someone else. My husband was man enough not to tell on anyone.. He said he did wrong and he should be punished by himself... I love him that much more for that... I know he will not do wrong again. it has put a strain on our family and I miss him dearly... Our kids have suffered but by the grace of God we have maintained. I am so Greatfull for this Bill. I Pray to God it goes through..I pray all familes as well as mine. God Bless you all...

Elee

Coming from someone who has had everything in their life giving to them.Should not open their mouth about situations they do not know about. The bill will pass and when i does i hope all you negative people come across someone who just gets out and they make you eat your words.

ms.lion heart

thats good that the bill has past but there are a lot of inmates that has been sentenced to 15 to 20 years for a little bit of crack when u have all these murderers & rapest that gets 10 to 15 year. my fiance will benefit from this bill i hope & pray that it will become law........

Poor Elee

You must really live in a fantasy world. This bill has NO chance of passing. The people who could make it happen will not support it. The others are just playing the same old political games they always play.

nasty nate

nasty nate

if this bill don't pass then i will finish rapeing all the white people in prison, i got life with no parole with nuthn to loose.--- dont forget what i told you --- i want you and all your rednecks relatives, i wana put suck marts on the back there necks while i make love to them. Nasty Nate aka hickey man. p.s.--- i need you to write me to.

Naaty Nate

everybody tell --- to get at me i gotta go we on lock down now somebody got caught raping a white dude. they know it wasn't me he would of hade a hickey on back of his neck. thats my trade mark u better ask --- he know.

to--- Elee

Tony

Do anybbody have anys news about this bill. these laws need to change and it would save alot of money on taxes and now there talking about holding our tax refund, Im tired of housing imates. and to --- you are a dump *ss dude I hope Nasty Nate get your *ss. we need to lock people like you up you racist bastard on yeah and white also. b**ch! pass this bill

Sara p.

I hope that this bill pass my husband been jail for 3yrs on a 7yr. it don't matter if your black or white or green pass this bill please, im torn apart. To --- ur a disgrace to our race, i hope they lock you up with nasty nate with no parole. thankyou

---

It certainly is amusing to watch those here who are trying to "pass" as white. It is really rather easy to see who they are. Their ignorance shows through in their lack of ability to put together coherent sentences. Again, just another sign of the subhuman neegrah's lack of intelligence.

j-j

--- get your ass off this page and let the people voice there comments about this bill. get a life for real---. every bill i go to i see your dump ass comments. I can't even get any updates about this bill because of you.

---

So the only people who can talk about the bill are those in favor of it? Sure, that's guaranteed to make a lot of folks into supporters. I'm not worried about this bill. It will never pass because thoase who have the control know it is a bad idea.

J-J, why don;t you go back to your room and play with your dolls. Leave the important stuff to the grownups.

j-j

so if you buy some pot and there are no guns involved does that make him violent are non. you have a choice rather to buy are not nobody is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to buy pot are any other drug, and dont lie and say you never use any kind of drug. potna!!!

Sherri

--- Is such a racist assh****. I bet you feel very stupid now, don't you? The bill not only made it out of the committee, but also out of the senate as well. Ha! Stupid b****, that just goes to show how much progress we're making. & despite what your rac*** a** may think, this bill will become a law. I think I speak for everyone in favor when I say, IT IS WELL ON ITS WAY! Now put that in your juicebox and suck it. You been talking sh** about this bill since the beginning. Get a fuc**** life and stop worrying about something that has nothing to do with you. Go suck a fat one, a**hole. Your mother not only knew your father, they were married to eachother? So are my parents. I'm African American and proud to be it. Not all white people are perfect. NO ONE IS PERFECT.

Sheri..pt2

A person's circumstances has nothing to do with their color, IDIOT. Let's not get on the TRAILOR TRASH that lives across the street from me. And you always say lock the druggies up? What about the rich little white girls who DRIVE DRUNK and get a slap on the wrist. BULLSH**! My cousin was killed by a drunk driver. Non-violent offenders who choose to sell crack or cocaine should both be sentenced, I do agree with that. I do, however, feel those sentences should be equal! The drugs are the same so why shouldn't the sentences be?????

j-j

Elee

The senate passed the bill yeah !!! But the only down fall is that it was not made retroactve.Dang. So that means that everyone sentenced from now on will fall under the bill but everyone already in jal will not fall under it .....read www.famm.org for update.

up dates

Elee famm. gonna try to make it retroactive I'm gonna pray that we get it retroactive. then they trying to put parole back in federal prison and that will go back to 1987. its trying to work out for us we just gotta keeping praying and working on it.

Sheri

Yes, I think the bill will be retroactive. The only people who are saying that it's not is the people from FAMM. I've read the actual bill itself and it states in the very beginning it will be retroactive. We just have to pray and stay on our senators about it! --- Don't have anything to say now. I bet his racist a** feel like a damn fool now. I've been telling him all along this bill would make it..Now I hope he chokes on his own words! --- WHERE ARE U AT NOW??? NOTHING TO SAY?! Laugh Out Loud. FIGURES!

---

You still don't have a bill out of the house and then you have to get the president to sign it. Do you really believe he will sign something this stupid? Do you really think he wants to start a race-war? You folks are just dumbasses, plain and simple.

updates

---stop the hating. The bill will pass and federal parole will be back also, I know you don't want this to happen but some times you just have to let the hating go. you can't stop it, you see you the only one on here potna!!!

Sheri

-- HAHAHAHA...A few months ago you said it wouldn't even make it this far...SHUT THE H*** up. It's obviously well on its way to becoming a law and that, u stupid idiot, is just something you're going to have to accept! Get over it, okay. There is nothing anyone, especially your dumb, racist a** could do to stop this bill from becoming a law. You can ignore it, act like it doesn't exist, and even down-talk it, but despite all of your BS...s.1789 is so close to becoming a law, I could almost smell it. & Despite what you want to admit, you know it is, too. THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN STOP IT so shut up bitc*ing about it and let it be. You're salty because you've been against it since day one when I told you we would make it this far. Sit back and let your "bitterness" sink into your racist, miserable life. You stated "those who have control think it is a bad idea"...I guess you're choking on your own words now, huh?? LOL HATERRRRRRRRR! ARE YOU MAD?? I THINK SO!

Mrs. Brown

I am so glad that this bill is about to come law. My husband has been in federal prison for going on 5 years on a ten year sentence and I KNOW that this bill will become retroactive because all things come based on your faith and I got faith and I am standing on it for all if us. Please keep me updated about the retroactive part. Thanks to all of the supporters. Change has came!!! Amen!

RalphK

I'm really concerned that the democrats have spent too much political capital on healthcare and won't be able to, or want to, enter into a fight over this bill. From what I read there are a number of senators and representatives who are solidly against this bill. Does anyone have any opinions they would care to share on this? I really do worry about this a lot.

Vivian

It's amazing to me that in 2010, we are still having an exchange of comments like the ones listed above. I've visited a Federal prison and one thing I know for sure is that the FEDS don't discriminate regarding WHO the lock up. Black, white, young, old, sick or well. Some people are compltely ignorant and will do anything to get a rise out of others. Dont allow yourselves to be provoked by the comments of some. Keep the faith about the bill CONTINUING to move forward. The President has publicly stated that if it makes it to his desk, he WILL sign it. We have to remain POSITIVE and use our energy for the good. Continue to pray for fairness in sentencing to become a reality and that it will be retoractive. I won't get too deep into the political aspect of this debate but the numbers don'e lie. $42 million over the next 5 yrs is quite attractive to those who prepare the budgets. Stay strong to all those families that are affected. Time continues to pass and all things come to an end.